Monitoring Device and Method of Monitoring Programmable Lamps

ABSTRACT

A monitoring device for programmable lamps ( 10 ) includes an input ( 17 ) for receiving control data ( 11 ) from a first programmable lamp, an output ( 18 ) for forwarding the control data ( 12 ) to a second programmable lamp, reading means ( 19 ) for reading the control data ( 13 ) and a interface ( 20 ) for transmitting the read control data ( 14 ). In further embodiments, the wireless interface is formed in such a manner as to receive configuration, reference and test data, with which the monitoring device can be placed into the recording mode, diagnostic mode and test mode. A configurator configurates input, output, reading means and wireless interface in dependence on the configuration data received.

The present invention relates to monitoring and error diagnosis ofprogrammable lamps or luminaires, and particularly of programmable lampscapable of being employed in the stage and event area.

DE 102004007057 discloses a concept for transmitting a DMX-512 signalfor controlling luminaires. In particular, a DMX signal is generated ina control panel at a first location and compressed via a transmissionmodem and modulated onto the usual current supply signal. The compressedDMX signal then is transmitted to an illumination system at a remotelocation via the normal current supply network. There, a reception modemis provided, extracting the DMX signal and thus controlling anillumination system. Alternatively, the transmission from the controlpanel at the first location to the illumination system at the secondlocation may take place in wireless manner, such that a radiotransmission modem is provided at the control panel, and that a radioreception modem is provided at the remote location at which theillumination system is arranged. In particular, signals for controllingthe color of the luminaire, or signals for pivoting and/or rotating(PAN/TILT) are transmitted to the luminaire in order to activate one ormore motors based on these signals so as to direct the spot of theluminaire to a desired location.

Luminaires in the event area or stage lighting sector, in particular,often are assembled, disassembled, and reassembled at another location.Moreover, modern intelligent programmable lamps have high functionalityand, depending on the design, high prices. On the other hand, anorganizer does not necessarily need to own a great number ofprogrammable lamps. Instead, there is an increasing number of rentalservice providers renting out programmable lamps from event to event,depending on demand.

This leads to the fact that it can no longer be assumed that a lamp,once it has been assembled, always remains at this location. Instead,the exact opposite increasingly becomes reality, namely that a lamp isassembled at one location, then an event takes place, e.g. for one ormore days or weeks, and then the lamp is disassembled again, transportedto another location and reassembled for another event there.

On the other hand, many intelligent devices used in the stageillumination sector have the possibility of being addressed with the aidof serial data protocols in order to be able to transmit the manycontrol signals, for example regarding the brightness, the color, thedirection of the spot, etc., to the lamp.

In particular, here a data line is drawn through from the control panelto the first device, then on to the second device, then on to the thirddevice, etc. For this to work, the individual devices must be assigned adata address, such that each device extracts the part of the dataprotocol and/or the channel containing the data intended for thecorresponding device.

The presently most common, and unfortunately also most error-prone, dataprotocol is DMX-512. It is based on the RS-485 standard, which is whythe interface packages developed with respect thereto can be used aswell. 512 useful data with 8 bits width each are transmitted.Handshaking is not provided. The transmission device transmits anaccurately defined start sequence, and then a maximum of 512 bytes, withincreasing channel numbers. Thereafter, the data packet starts again.The receivers are only capable of receiving. Feedback to the transmitterdoes not take place. The receivers are assigned start addressedbeginning from which they read their required channel numbers in thedata stream. Other data are ignored. The data cable is drawn from onedevice to the next one and is provided with a terminating resistoragainst wave reflections at the end (after a maximum of 32 devices).

The problem occurring many times in practice now consists in the factthat there indeed are wave reflections. The reasons may be a missingterminating resistor, bad or defective cables or scatterings from othercables or switching power supply units. Since the transmitter does notget any feedback, this can only be recognized from the fact that devicesno longer react correctly, even though they seem to be in order. Theseerrors may occur sporadically and migrate within the strand, wherebypartly lengthy troubleshooting becomes necessary. To aggravate thesituation, the devices partly are mounted on the ceiling or at greatheights, sometimes above a lake or swimming pool or the like. This meansthat it will not be easy to make changes on devices once mounted.

In a typical configuration, the transmission panel is on the ground, andthe programmable lamps are on the ceiling. The transmission panel sendsa DMX signal into the first programmable lamp, this in turn sends thesignal on to a second programmable lamp, which in turn sends the signalon to a third programmable lamp, etc. The problem now occurring is thefollowing:

The first device still receives the correct data stream. The seconddevice also receives the correct data stream. But the third or followingdevices may now experience an error due to line reflections, so that thethird device does no longer receive the correct data stream. Theredevelops a data problem, which may make itself noticeable in amalfunction. Yet troubleshooting is not possible from the ground.

In such a case, a technician must undo the data connection on locationwith a handheld analysis device and can read the values of the datapacket on the display of the tester. Yet this is only possible for thetechnician by using a ladder and going to the site of the malfunction.In general, however, it cannot be expected of network technicians to beable to climb around below the ceiling, i.e. to be unafraid of heights,and at the same time operate the error analysis device at this location.The assembly crew (the so-called riggers), however, cannot perform erroranalysis, since they do not have the technical skills required.Moreover, apart from the technician on the ladder, a further technicianis required to operate the light control device for controlling thechain of programmable lamps on the ground. Most test devices do notforward the useful signal, but only derive same for testing. This maylead to the error may not being recognized at all during the testprocess. In any case, communication between technician at the lightcontrol device and technician on the ladder at the error site isnecessary. This either calls for a radiotelephony connection or a shortdistance between the two, so that communication by shouting or bycorresponding hand signs is possible.

A second possibility of error analysis consists in attaching a longcable at the error site and guiding same back to the ground. Then, theoperator of the light control device himself or herself may checkwhether the received data matches the transmitted data. This comparison,however, still has to be done manually, i.e. by reading and comparing,in the analysis devices common in the market.

A further problem is that the long, additionally fitted cable can changethe wave resistance of the line chain such that an error may no longeroccur or occurs at another location in the line chain.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a more convenientand more accurate measurement concept for programmable lamps.

This object is achieved by a monitoring device for programmable lampsaccording to claim 1 or by a method of monitoring a programmable lampaccording to claim 22.

The monitoring device includes an input for receiving control data froma first controllable lamp or luminaire, an output for forwarding thecontrol data to a second controllable lamp, reading means for readingthe control data received from the input, and a wireless interface fortransmitting the control data read by the reading means or data derivedfrom the read control data.

The monitoring device may be attached at an arbitrary location in achain of programmable lamps and measure the applying control data there.It does not interrupt the control data chain, since the control datareceived at the input are immediately forwarded in unchanged manner tothe output, and the recording process works with a copy of the controldata, without changing the original control data. In contrast to usualtest methods, in which the line at the measurement site is undone, it ispossible, with the method according to the invention, to performuninterrupted, and hence undisturbed, measurement.

The read control data are forwarded from the reading means to a wirelessinterface and wirelessly transferred therefrom to a second location (forexample to a network technician on the ground), so that the location ofmeasuring the control data and the location of the analysis of thecontrol data may be different. By means of this method, it is no longernecessary to lay a long cable from the location of the measurement tothe location of the data analysis, which is common with test devicespresently available. Hence, the construction crew (the riggers) mayinstall the monitoring device according to the invention together withthe programmable lamps upon assembly on location, generally below theceiling at great height, and the network technician may analyze themeasured control data conveniently from the ground and recognize erraticbehavior. The network technician no longer has to go through the arduoustask of going to the site and searching for an error there. He does nothave to be unafraid of heights, since all necessary data for erroranalysis are sent to him wirelessly by means of the method according tothe invention. The monitoring device may be built to be very compact andlightweight, since it does not require any further complex modules apartfrom the above-mentioned four units.

A further advantage of the invention is to be seen in the exactmeasurement of the control data, since there is no interference with thecontrol data line such that line parameters change. The wirelesstransmission of the measured control data is electrically decoupled fromthe control data line, so that no interference by the measurement mustbe reckoned with here, as it is the case by fitting a measurement cablein presently available measuring methods. Thus, with the inventivemethod, it is possible to perform the measurement more accurately, sincethe electrical properties of the line are not changed by themeasurement. As far as this is concerned, an existing malfunction can befound more quickly, which saves time and cost for the organizer.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained ingreater detail in the following with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a monitoring device for programmable lamps;

FIG. 2 shows a configurable monitoring device for programmable lamps,which can be set to the configurations of “recording mode”, “diagnosticmode” and “test mode”;

FIG. 3 shows a cable test method for a programmable lamp or a chain ofprogrammable lamps;

FIG. 4 shows a test and diagnosis method for programmable lamps; and

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a monitoring device for programmablelamps.

FIG. 1 shows a monitoring device 10 for programmable lamps orluminaires. According to the invention, it includes an input 17 forreceiving control data 11 from a first controllable lamp, an output 18for forwarding the control data 12 to a second controllable lamp,reading means 19 for reading the control data 13 received at the input,and a wireless interface 20 for transmitting the control data read fromthe reading means or data derived from the read control data 14.

The input 17 is directly connected to the output 18, the connection line13 between input 17 and output 18 has a branch, so that the input 17 isconnected to the reading means 19. The reading means 19 has an output14, which is connected to the wireless interface 20. The output 15 ofthe wireless interface 20 is connected to an antenna 16.

The input 17 is formed to receive DMX signals. In a preferredembodiment, the input 17 is an XLR connecting plug or an XLR connectingsocket, wherein XLR plug and XLR socket may be 5-pole or 3-pole.

The output 18 is formed to transmit DMX signals. In a preferredembodiment, the output 18 is an XLR connecting socket or an XLRconnecting plug, wherein XLR socket and XLR plug may be 5-pole or3-pole.

The connection line 13 between input 17 and output 18 is constructed asa data bus in bus topology (“daisy chain”), in a preferred embodiment.For the branch, a splitter is used, but it may also be formed as asimple T element. The reading means 19 may be a DMX receiver, in apreferred embodiment, a DMX-512 receiver in accordance with the USITT(United States Institute for Theater Technology) standard, in accordancewith the DIN 56930 standard or in accordance with the ANSI E1.11standard. In a further form, the reading means may also be a DMX-USBreceiver converting DMX signals on the control line intocomputer-readable commands via a DMX-USB interface.

The wireless interface is embodied as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)transmitter in accordance with the IEEE standard 802.11, in a preferredembodiment. In further embodiments, transmitters in accordance with theETSI HIPERLAN standard, in accordance with the HomeRF or in accordancewith the WiFi radio standard for wireless networks, in accordance withthe IEEE standard 802.15.1 (Bluetooth) for the wireless networking ofdevices over short distances, or in accordance with the DECT (DigitalEuropean Cordless Telecommunication) standard in accordance with ETSIEN300175 for cordless communication are employed. In less commonembodiments, the wireless interface may also be a WiMAX transmitter inaccordance with the IEEE 802.16 standard. Apart from a radio network, aninfrared interface in accordance with the IrDA (Infrared DataAssociation) standard may also be possible as a further preferredembodiment. An antenna is employed for transmitting the wireless signal.

The wireless interface transmits the data 15 to a remote device via anair interface 16. The monitoring device according to FIG. 1 permitsmonitoring the control data of the programmable lamp by transmittingsame to a remote party via a wireless interface.

FIG. 2 shows a configurable monitoring device 10 for programmable lamps.According to the invention, it includes an input 17 for receivingcontrol data 11 from a first controllable lamp, an output 18 forforwarding the control data 12 to a second controllable lamp, anamplifier 23 for amplifying the control data, reading means 19 forreading the control data 13 received at the input, a memory 22 forstoring the control data read by the reading means, and a wirelessinterface 20 for sending the control data read by the reading means ordata derived from the read control data 55. The output 15 of thewireless interface 20 is connected to an antenna 16.

The wireless interface is formed to receive configuration data 51,reference data 52 and test data 53. Furthermore, the configurablemonitoring device in accordance with the invention according to FIG. 2includes the following components:

A configurator 21 for receiving the configuration data 51 from thewireless interface 20, a reference data reader 24 for reading thereference data 52 from the wireless interface 20, a test data reader 25for reading the test data 53 from the wireless interface 20, a controlswitch 26 for switching on or off the control data 13 received at theinput, a reference switch 27 for switching on or off the reference data52 read at the reference data reader 24, a test switch 28 for switchingon or off the test data 53 read at the test data reader 25, asubtraction unit for subtracting the reference data 61 switched by thereference switch 27 from the control data 13 stored by the memory 22 ofthe first controllable lamp, an addition unit 55 for adding the controldata 62 switched by the control switch 26 and the test data 64 switchedby the test switch 28.

The input 17 is connected to the control switch 26, with the connectionline 13 having a branch between input and control switch, so that theinput 17 also is connected to the reading means 19. The output of thereading means 60 is connected to the memory 22, the output data 14 ofwhich reach the subtraction unit 54. The subtraction unit 54 subtractsthe reference data 61 switched by the reference switch 27 from thecontrol data 14 present at the output of the memory 22 and forwards saiddifferential data 55 to the wireless interface 20. The wirelessinterface 20 forwards the data 15 to be sent to an antenna 16.

The configuration data 51 received from the wireless interface 20 areforwarded to a configurator 21 switching the three switches, namelycontrol switch 26, reference switch 27 and test switch 28, on and off bymeans of configuration control lines 70, 71 and 72 and adjusting theamplifier 23 with an amplification configured via the configuration data51 by means of a configuration control line 73. Switching the controlswitch 26 on means that the data present at the input of the controlswitch are connected through to the output, switching the control switch26 off means that the data present at the input of the control switchare not connected through to the output. The same behavior applies tothe reference switch and the test switch.

The reference data 52 received from the wireless interface 20 aresupplied to a reference data reader 24, which passes the read referencedata 67 on to the input of the reference switch 27. The test data 53received from the wireless interface 20 are supplied to a test datareader 25, which passes the read test data 66 on to the input of thetest switch 28. The test switch switches the read test data 66 to thesecond input 64 of the addition unit 55, at the first input 62 of whichthe control data 13 switched by the control switch 26 are present. Theaddition unit 55 adds both data sequences 62 and 64 and passes theresult 63 on to the input of the amplifier 23. It amplifies the data 63present at the output of the addition unit 55 with an amplificationadjustable by the configurator 21 and forwards the now-amplified controldata 65 to the output 18, from where said control data 12 proceed to asecond controllable lamp.

Preferred embodiments of the input 17, the output 18, the reading device19 and the wireless interface 20 as well as the branch line 13 are shownin FIG. 1. The memory 22 is formed to store the control data 60 receivedby the reading device 19. In further embodiments of the invention, thememory 22 may be controlled by the configurator 21 by means ofconfiguration data 51 via a configuration data line, such that thechannels to be stored can be configured. In an embodiment of theinvention, the memory is formed as a RAM (Random Access Memory),preferably as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and as an SDR(Synchronous Dynamic RAM) or as a DDR (Double Data Rate SynchronousDynamic RAM) device.

Control switch 26, reference switch 27 and test switch 28 preferably areformed as electronically switchable devices, which can be controlled bya control line by switching through the data present at the input orswitching away the data present at the input.

The amplifier 23 preferably is realized as an active circuit ofelectronic devices and, in a form, consists in an operational amplifierembodied as integrated circuit of transistors, bipolar transistors,JFETs (Junction Field Effect Transistors) and MOSFETs (Metal OxideSemiconductor Field Effect Transistors). Configurator 21, reference datareader 24 and test data reader 25 preferably are embodied as decoders.They decode those data of the data stream received from the wirelessinterface 20 to which same are addressed. The wireless interface 20further preferably is embodied as a demultiplexer and distributes thedata received at the wireless receiver according to a multiplexingprotocol to the three lines 51, 52 and 53, which lead to theconfigurator 21, to the reference data reader 24 and to the test datareader 25, respectively. The configurator 21 converts the receivedconfiguration data 51 into control commands for the three switchesand/or controls the amplification of the amplifier 23. In a preferredembodiment, it is formed as a discrete logic device, particularly as asemiconductor device or as an FPGA (Free Programmable Gate Array). Testdata and reference data readers preferably also are formed assemiconductor devices.

Addition unit 55 and subtraction unit 54 preferably are formed asdiscrete semiconductor circuits with transistor logic.

By means of the configurator 20, the monitoring device can be placedinto one of the three configurations of “recording mode”, “diagnosticmode” or “test mode”. The control of the respective mode takes place viathe three switches “control switch 26”, “reference switch 27” and “testswitch 28”.

In the recording mode, the control switch 26 is switched on, thereference switch 27 is switched off, and the test switch 28 is switchedoff. The control data 11 received at the input 17 from a firstcontrollable lamp are stored in a memory 22 and read in reading means19. The read control data 14 stored by means of the memory 22 reach asubtraction unit 54, which leaves same unchanged, however, since thereference switch 27 is open in the recording mode. The data 55 presentat the output of the difference unit are supplied to a wirelessinterface 20 and wirelessly transmitted via an antenna 16. The wirelessreceiver may now record these data 15 in wireless fashion. Furthermore,the control data received at the input, after having passed an additionunit 55, which leaves same unchanged, since the test switch 28 is openin the recording mode, are amplified by an amplifier 23 and supplied toan output 18. The output passes the input control data amplified, ifrequired, as output control data 12 on to a second programmable lamp.

So as to be able to operate the monitoring device for programmable lamps10 in the diagnostic mode, the wireless interface 20 is formed to beable to receive reference data 52. The configurator 21 switches thecontrol switch 26 on, the reference switch 27 on, and the test dataswitch 28 off. Hence, the control data 11 pass from a first programmablelamp via the input 17 to a memory 22, whereupon the reading means 19 mayread the control data and may perform a target/actual comparison via asubtraction unit 54. The reference data 52 required for thetarget/actual comparison pass to the subtraction input of thesubtraction unit 54 via the reference data reader 24 and the switched-onreference switch 27. There, the reference sequence 55 is calculated,which informs about deviations of the control data 11 present at theinput from the desired reference data 52. The error sequence 55 may beinterpreted as a DMX signal, from which the corresponding channel can bedetermined by reading the byte positions. The wireless interface 20wirelessly transmits the error data 15, via an antenna 16, to thenetwork technician on the ground, who therewith obtains exactinformation on error type and error location.

So as to be able to operate the monitoring device for programmable lampsin the test mode, the radio interface 20 is formed so as to be able toreceive test data 53. For the test mode, the configurator 21 switchesthe control switch 26 to “off”, the reference switch 27 to “off”, andthe test data switch 28 to “on”. The test data reader 25 reads the testdata 53 present at the wireless interface 20 and switches same to anaddition unit 55 via the switched-on test switch 28. Since the controlswitch 26 is switched off, the test data are directly passed on to theamplifier 23 and forwarded to the output 18. The test data 12 sent atthe output finally pass to a second controllable lamp via the line. Inthis configuration, the monitoring device for programmable lamps can beused as a generator for feeding test data. Test data may, for example,be test data indicating a valid control sequence, for example “all lampsperpendicularly downward, red light on, dimmer off”. Test data may,however, also be data the downstream programmable lamps cannotinterpret. In this case, the test data, for example, are solely used totest the line and indicate line parameters.

FIG. 3 shows a method of testing a programmable lamp 31 or a chain ofprogrammable lamps.

A test generator 30 switches a test sequence to an addition unit 32. Theaddition unit 32 is upstream with respect to a programmable lamp 31, orin a chain of programmable lamps 31, or between a light panel and aprogrammable lamp. The addition unit 32 switches the test sequence tothe input of the programmable lamp 31 or a chain of programmable lamps.The resulting output signal 35, which is present at the output of thepath to be measured of the programmable lamp or the chain ofprogrammable lamps, is passed on to evaluation logic 33, together with acopy of the test signal 34 present at the input of the path to bemeasured.

The test generator 30 generates a test sequence 34 for testingprogrammable lamps or the cabling thereof. The test sequence may, forexample, be in form of white noise in which all frequencies are exciteduniformly. The test sequence is fed into a programmable lamp 31 or achain of programmable lamps via an addition unit 32. The signal 35present at the output of the chain of programmable lamps is comparedwith a copy of the test sequence 34, as was fed into the programmablelamps. Power parameters and wrong or reverse polarity can be determinedfrom both signals 35 and in evaluation logic 33. In particular, thepower parameters of line attenuation, phase location, line termination,reflection attenuation as well as detection and localization of existingdisturbances on the line can be determined. From the phase location, itmay further be determined whether there is wrong polarity of the cables,and hence whether the cables have been attached incorrectly.Furthermore, it is possible to determine the site of the wrong polarityon the cable chain.

In a preferred embodiment, the test generator 30 is embodied as a signalgenerator, the evaluation logic 33 is embodied as a computer or as adigital circuit, which may be implemented on a network analysis device.

FIG. 4 shows a test method for a programmable lamp 31 or a chain ofprogrammable lamps. A test sequence generator 40 switches the signals ofa programmable lamp 31, of a light control panel 41 or a monitoringdevice for programmable lamps 10 to the input of a programmable lamp 31or a chain of programmable lamps by means of switching logic 45 via anaddition unit 32. The test signal is passed via the programmable lamp orthe chain of programmable lamps and possibly changed if there is anerror. The supplied signal or the changed supplied signal 44 is fed toevaluation logic 42. Furthermore, a copy of the supplied test sequence43 is fed to evaluation logic 42. In the evaluation logic 42, thedifferential sequence is formed, the byte position within thedifferential sequence is associated with the corresponding controlchannel, and a potentially faulty channel is indicated.

The test sequence generator is embodied as a circuit of discrete logicin one embodiment of the invention and switches one of three inputsignals to the output, depending on the control of the circuit. Theevaluation logic 42 is embodied as a computer or as a digital circuit,which may be implemented on a network analysis device.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention. Three remotely controlledprogrammable lamps 31 are suspended from the ceiling and connected inseries, wherein the third remotely controlled programmable lamp 31 isterminated with a terminating resistor 51. A light control panel 41 onthe ground sends a DMX signal to the first programmable lamp 31. Thefirst and second lamps 31 receive the correct data stream, there being acable disturbance 50 between the second and the third lamp 31, whichleads to a data problem and malfunction in the third lamp 31.

With the monitoring device 10 for programmable lamps according to theinvention, the operator on the ground may have the control data at thelocation of the malfunction sent to him or her in extremely convenientway. A first monitoring device 10 is installed at the site of themalfunction, reads the control data 11, and sends a copy of the readcontrol data 15 to the receiver on the ground, which is embodied as asecond monitoring device 10, by means of a wireless interface. At thesame time, the first monitoring device 10 passes the control data 11received at the input on to the output as control data 12 in unchangedmanner, so that control data are also present at the third controllablelamp 31 also during the test. At the same time, the first monitoringdevice 10 may receive configuration data 15 for self-configuration viathe bi-directional wireless interface.

In preferred embodiments, the invention is based on the fact thatcontrol data for programmable lamps, which have color and directioninformation of the luminaire, are sent to the network technician on theground in the programmable lamp. With this information, the networktechnician on the ground may check whether the control data at thelocation of the programmable lamp are correct or changed by wavereflections of the attached cables, wrongly attached cables, or defectsin the devices. The network technician on the ground may avail himselfor herself of the original sequence of control data transmitted, and maythus compare whether the control data sequence received from theprogrammable lamp via the monitoring device matches the originalsequence. Upon a mismatch, he or she may determine the channel in whichan error occurs, due to the byte position in the differential sequence.

The monitoring device may be attached at the target location of theprogrammable lamp by a specially trained rigger, and a networktechnician on the ground may control the control data received there. Inthe simplest case, the monitoring device only reads the control data andsends same to the operator on the ground via a wireless interface. Themonitoring device then works in the recording mode. In this mode, thenetwork technician on the ground obtains information on the control datasent and information on the control data received from the programmablelamp. He or she now must perform the comparison of the sent and receivedcontrol data sequence by himself or herself to find the error. Thiserror analysis may, however, also be executed directly by the monitoringdevice. It can be configured such that it is capable of receiving thereference data wirelessly, and of performing a target/actual comparisonwith the control data present at the input with these reference data.The monitoring device may determine the error automatically, identifythe faulty channel by analysis of the error sequence, and send theinformation to the network technician on the ground. He or she no longermust search through all 512 bytes of the error signal received, since heor she receives information as to which channel has an error by means ofa user-friendly display on the screen of the network analysis device.

The reference signal may originate directly from a light control panel,it may originate from a programmable lamp or from a second monitoringdevice for programmable lamps. For example, a reference signal can begenerated such that a monitoring device for programmable lamps isattached directly downstream of a light control panel. In thisconfiguration, it may be assumed that the control data do not yetcomprise an error, since they are received directly from the lightcontrol panel. With a second monitoring device for programmable lamps atthe end or in the middle of a chain of programmable lamps, diagnosis ofthe control signal can be performed. For example, the tester may play indefined test sequences, which signal the same behavior for all lamps, atthe beginning of the chain, such as: “all lamps perpendicularlydownward, red light on, dimmer off”. With the second monitoring device,diagnosis of the line may be performed, and the tester may check whetherall programmable lamps behave similarly corresponding to the testsequence. On the other hand, he or she may perform a visual check frombelow.

The monitoring device may also be employed as a simple cable tester. Tothis end, it sends out a radio or wireless signal, which is supplied tothe chain of programmable lamps. A second monitoring device in themiddle or at the end of the line chain receives the wireless sequencesupplied and compares same to a copy of the originally supplied signal.From input and output signals of the line, one may then determine lineparameters, such as line attenuation, phase location, line termination,reflection attenuation, and detection and localization of existingdisturbances on the line. From the phase location, a possible wrongpolarity of the cable ends and its location may be inferred.

By sending the control data via a wireless interface to a networkanalysis device on the ground, the network analysis device no longernecessarily has to be built to be very compact, since it no longer hasto be mounted below the ceiling by a rigger. It may, for example, beembodied as a notebook with a wireless interface and correspondingoperating software. The transmitted monitoring data may be displayed ina user-friendly manner on a large display. It is no longer necessary tokeep the network analysis device very compact for transportationrequirement reasons. Instead, demands for user-friendliness andgraphical representation can be dealt with. For example, status diagramsmay be designed very clearly on a large notebook screen, and theanalysis device may be operated very effectively by means of a mouse andkeyboard. Libraries offering the tester access to the channel occupationand similar device-specific data may also be included. This newapplication could not be used so far, because the test devices had to betaken to the error location and therefore had to be built to be aslightweight as possible.

The monitoring device for programmable lamps does not have to befabricated as an external device. In a particular embodiment of thisinvention, the monitoring device for programmable lamps may be directlyintegrated in a programmable lamp. If the monitoring device is directlyintegrated in the reception devices, the entire chain may be checked incontactless way from device to device until the error has been found. Itis then no longer necessary to attach an externally built monitoringdevice at the location of the error, but the programmable lamps in whichthe monitoring function is integrated perform error diagnosis bythemselves in software-aided manner. For example, the operator calls upa “data check” function on the network analysis device, which executesdiagnosis of the entire network of programmable lamps and returns thestatus of the network including potential malfunctions with positionaland type indication. It would also be possible to have the programmablelamps execute automatic monitoring in an initialization phase after theassembly, such that it can be signaled whether the programmable lamp isworking flawlessly or whether an error in the form of a cablereflection, wrong cable polarity or a device defect is present, by meansof an error LED on the programmable lamp.

With this, an external test device would no longer be necessary either.

Further embodiments of the present invention are set forth in thefollowing:

One embodiment includes a tester for the serial data protocol, whichsends its data to a receiver in form of a wristwatch by means of thesame radio link. The device has a data input, a data output and theradio interface in a housing as robust and compact as possible.Previously, such testers were handheld devices provided with a display,which had to be used and operated at the respective location of theerror source. With the variant according to the invention, it would bepossible to have the tester attached at the data bus at the problem siteby a person unafraid of heights. The analysis of the measured values maynow be performed by a correspondingly trained technician from theground.

In a further embodiment, the tester may send and receive data and alsotransmit and simultaneously read the received data. If several testersare operated with a watch (or other control device with the samefunctional features) in the radio network, e.g. a tester may be attacheddirectly as a first device to the light control panel. This tester thusis likely to read error-free data. A second tester is included somewhereinto the data line. The watch now receives data from both devices andcan then make actual/target comparisons. Thereby, the device mayindicate the error data directly to the technician. Troublesomecomparison of the corresponding individual data by the user himself orherself is omitted.

Furthermore, the tester and a remotely controllable programmable lampmay also be used in combination.

Embodiments of the invention are also referred to as “wireless DMXtesters”, in order to have a wirelessly controllable analysis device fordata protocols common in stage event technology.

The presently most common, and unfortunately also most error-prone, oneis DMX512. It is based on the RS 485 standard, which is why theinterface devices developed therefore also may be used. 512 useful dataof 8-bits width are transmitted. Handshaking is not provided. Thetransmitting device sends an exactly defined start sequence and amaximum of 512 bytes thereafter, with increasing channel numbers.Thereafter, the data packet starts again from the beginning. Thereceivers are only capable of receiving. Feedback to the transmitterdoes not take place. The receivers are assigned start addresses,beginning from which they read their required channel numbers in thedata stream. Other data are ignored. The data cable is drawn throughfrom one device to the next one (see first variant) and is also fittedwith a terminating resistor against wave reflections at its end (after amaximum of 32 devices). More details are to be found on the Internetpage “http://www.soundlight.de/techtips/dmx512/dmx512.htm”.

The problem occurring many times in practice is that there are wavereflections. The reasons may be a missing terminating resistor,bad/defective cables or scatterings from other cables/power supplyunits. Since the transmitter does not receive any feedback, this canonly be recognized from the fact that devices suddenly no longer reactcorrectly, even though everything seems to be in order. These errors mayoccur sporadically and migrate within the strand, whereby partly lengthytroubleshooting becomes necessary. To aggravate the situation, thedevices are partly mounted on the ceiling or above a lake/swimming poolor the like.

One example in this respect makes clear a first variant: three devices(Moving Heads) here are suspended from the ceiling and connected inseries, wherein the third device is terminated with a terminatingresistor. A transmission panel on the ground sends the DMX signal to thefirst device. The first and second devices receive the correct datastream. In the third device, there is a data problem that makes itselfnoticeable by malfunction. Troubleshooting is not possible on theground, however.

In such a case, the procedure is according to a second variant: atechnician must undo the data connection with a hand-held analysisdevice on location (in this case on the ladder) and can then read thevalues of the data packets on the display of the tester. Most testdevices do not forward the useful signal. This means that the error maynot be recognizable at all during the test procedure. Since the operatorat the light control device (but usually not the man on the ladder)knows the correct data, communication now has to take place between theman with the test device and the man on the ground. This either requiresa radiotelephony connection or a short distance between the two (forcommunication by shouting) or corresponding hand signs. Moreover, theman on the ladder must both be unafraid of heights and be familiar withthe analysis device and with the potentially occurring errors. It ispossible, however, that the network technicians are not able to climbaround below the ceiling, and those capable of that (so-called“riggers”) are not able to perform error analysis.

In such a case, by means of a third variant, a long cable (test cable)may be attached at the error site and guided back to the ground. Now,the operator of the light control device himself or herself may checkwhether the arriving data correspond to the data sent. However, thiscomparison still has to be made “manually” in the analysis devicescommon on the market, by reading and comparing, that is. A furtherproblem consists in the fact that the long cable attached additionallycompletely changes the wave resistance of the chain and the error may nolonger occur thereby. Moreover, by attaching the test cable, the linebetween the second and the third device is undone, so that the thirddevice does not receive any data during the test. Remedy is provided bythe “wireless tester”, which represents an embodiment of the invention.The device basically consists of a DMX output, a DMX input and a radiointerface. Since the device has the radio interface, which ideallyfunctions with equal data packets, like the remotely controlledprogrammable lamp, no display is required on the device, but only thewatch of the remotely controlled programmable lamp for operating.

Now, various functions may be utilized:

1. The tester has been included into the chain at the error site (fourthvariant, see also FIG. 5). The device reads the data and sends thereceived data on to the following receivers. Here, data are also presentat the input of the third device during the test. The read data are nowsent to the watch of the operator on the ground, who can control same.Attaching the tester first may be done by a rigger, and the networktechnician then controls the data (yet still “manually”). A furtheradvantage: in this case, the tester functions as a “booster”. That meansit amplifies the signal, whereas input and output are simply connectedin “normal receivers”. This means that corresponding attenuation of thesignal takes place at the plugs in normal receivers. It may be that thesignal amplification by the tester already has a positive effect.

2. Two test devices are employed: one at the beginning of the chain andone at the error location. Since the remotely controlled devices have amultiplicity of various functions mostly activatable simultaneously, itis partly difficult to even recognize at all whether there is amalfunction, and if so, which one. Defined test sequences (e.g. “alldevices perpendicularly downward, red light, dimmer on”) may be playedin at the input of the chain with the tester. On the one hand, visualcontrol may take place, and data control by a second tester on the otherhand. Certainly, this is also possible without such functions. One mustalways bear in mind that, prior to events, a lot of problems usuallyhave to be solved in a minimum period of time, and test setups (and beit only the line cable from the third variant lying across the stageunprotected) may lead to accidents or delays in the assembly. For thisreason, all improvements simplifying, and particularly capable ofaccelerating, troubleshooting are highly valuable.

3. A cable tester: The first tester sends a test signal not necessarilyto be recognized by the reception devices. It only serves the secondtester for testing the cable connection. In this way, e.g. theattenuation may be measured, or the phase location determined. Phaseproblems tend to occur in the case of cables with wrong polarity, whichoccurs more frequently than one may think it does.

4. The tester at the beginning of the chain is supplied with the datastream from the control device and then forwards same to the receivers.It may quite certainly be assumed that the data at this location arestill in order. The second tester is at the error site. Both testersread the data. The testers communicate with each other via radio. Thisenables the first tester to perform an actual/target comparison betweenits supplied data and the data returned from the second tester. Now, theoperator may read the pure error data, which have already been correctedfor the “good” data. This offers significantly more overview than havingto search through all 512 bytes.

5. Since both testers ideally do not have any operating part, and a verydisplay does not necessarily contribute to convenience, the followingwould also be possible: configuration like in point 4. Tester 1communicates with a notebook, which has a corresponding plug-in card,via a second radio channel. Now the parameters/read data/settings may bemanaged in extremely convenient manner, since they can be representedvery clearly on the comparably large notebook display and operation bymeans of a mouse/keyboard is very effective as well. Thereby, alsolibraries may be included, offering the tester access to channeloccupation and similar device-specific data. This possibility could notbe used until now since the test devices had to be taken to the errorlocation, and hence were built to be as compact as possible, which alsohad effects on the key number and display size.

6. It is a problem of all previously mentioned variants that the errorlocation first has to be found by “trial and error”. The location atwhich the malfunction occurs and the location at which it develops donot always have to lie closely together. But if the analysis device isintegrated into the reception devices (which is the case with alldevices having the remotely controlled programmable lamp integrated),the chain may be checked in contactless way device by device until theerror has been found. In this case, this procedure may even take placeautomatically in software-aided manner. This means that the operatorcalls up the “data check” function and is provided with an errorlocation and error type by the wireless network—either to the watch orthe notebook, depending on the configuration.

In summary, in the previous sections it has been explained how a testeris introduced at certain locations to test these really transmitteddata. Moreover, it has been shown how a tester is to be attached to thedata bus at the problem site (by a person unafraid of heights), or whatthis tester, once it somehow is connected to the data bus, for examplevia a T part, then does, or what data it extracts and wirelesslytransmits to the test receiver. It has been explained what is to beunderstood by the fact that a tester “passes data through andsimultaneously reads same”. The difference between a attached tester anda tester attached at some location to be measured in the radio field hasbeen explained. The present invention in its “tester application” doesnot necessarily exclusively relate to the remotely controlledprogrammable lamp, but also to the prior patent application102004007057.1, wherein it already was described that control data canbe transmitted via radio or via power line modulation. For theseapplications, the tester could be placed in front of the modulator oralso behind the modulator, and it would also be possible for the testerto have a modulator-demodulator of its own here. Furthermore, automaticcomparison was performed in the invention in that the data are measuredby a “tester” in their correct state directly at the light controlpanel, and that the data are then measured somewhere in the data line.It has been shown here that a second tester is to be “incorporated”,which means that the tester in a way receives the data transmitted viathe serial line, taps same and sends same out in wireless or wired way,such that an actual/target comparison with the clean data and thepotentially noisy data then is performed.

Furthermore, synergy effects have been pointed out as to why anactual/target comparison for a special data protocol and/or for the lampcontrol has a particular advantage as compared with other actual/targetcomparisons common in normal tests. Finally, “interesting combinations”with the remotely controlled programmable lamp according to thisinvention have been mentioned.

Embodiments with a detailed protocol have been set forth, andclarification of the term “actual/target comparison” has been set forth,offering sufficient disclosure of the procedure according to theinvention.

In the preferred embodiment, the monitoring device is not only used formonitoring the programmable lamps but is also implemented to performactive tasks. To this end, the interface 20 of the monitoring devicewhich can be a wireless interface, but can alternatively also be aninterface for a wired network such as a local area network. One localarea network is the well-known Ethernet. Over this local area network,the DMX control signals can also be transmitted. Implementations of thistechnology are known and described within the ARTNET protocol.

Based on the wireless interface or the local area network interface, themonitoring device can receive and input controls for performing errorrecognition actions. In case an error has been detected, a command canbe received from the monitoring device via the interface from acontroller and input into a programmable lamp in order to check thereaction, and then to determine, based on the reaction, where thedetected error could be located or in which logical functionality theerror could reside.

The specific implementation would be for the monitoring device, toreceive specific defined test packets over the interface, and themonitoring device would then feed the defined test packet either to thefirst programmable lamp connected to the input or to the secondcontrollable lamp connected to the output.

For the purpose of detecting any errors, the monitoring device couldalso be adapted to switch on different terminating resistors at the lastprogrammable lamp such as 31 (FIG. 3) in the chain of programmablelamps. It has been found that, often, the transmission line resistanceof the control line is different from the specified transmission lineresistance. Therefore, the terminating resistors at the lastprogrammable lamp, although they have the specified value, are notsuitable for generating a transmission line termination with low or noreflection.

Therefore, by switching off specified terminating resistors and byswitching on terminating resistors having different values, or byvarying the resistance value of a terminating resistor, several triescan be made to find out whether the error disappears, when theterminating resistor is controlled to have a different resistor value.Such an action performed by the monitoring device in reply to a detectederror or the detected unusual situation is an example for a repairmeasure. Therefore, the inventive monitoring device preferably performsrepair measures as well.

Depending on specific implementations, the monitoring device can also bepositioned near or event integrated into the last programmable lamp. Inthis implementation, the monitoring device will only have an input forreceiving control data from the first controllable lamp, but will nothave a separate output, compared to a situation in which the monitoringdevice is positioned between two controllable lamps.

As indicated in FIG. 5, the receiver 10 communicating with themonitoring device 10 connected to one or more programmable lamps can beimplemented as a separate mobile device or can, alternatively, beintegrated into the light controller 41. This device 10 which can eitherbe integrated into the controller or can be a separate mobile devicewill control the monitoring device 10 connected to one or moreprogrammable lamps and will be implemented to additionally transmit theerror detection and error identification commands and, additionally,instructions for performing repair measures, such as controlling thelast programmable lamp in order to set different termination resistancevalues.

Depending on the circumstances, the method according to the inventionmay be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation may bedone on a digital storage medium, particularly a floppy disc or a CD,with electronically readable control signals capable of cooperating witha programmable computer system so that the corresponding method isexecuted.

In general, the invention thus also consists in a computer programproduct with a program code stored on a machine-readable carrier forperforming the method according to the invention, when the computerprogram product is executed on a computer. In other words, the inventionmay thus be realized as a computer program with a program code forperforming the method, when the computer program is executed on acomputer.

1. Monitoring device for programmable lamps (10), comprising: an input(17) for receiving control data (11) from a first controllable lamp; anoutput (18) for forwarding the control data (12) to a secondcontrollable lamp; reading means (19) for reading the control data (13)received from the input; and an interface (20) for transmitting thecontrol data (14) read from the reading means or data derived from theread control data.
 2. Monitoring device for programmable lamps accordingto claim 1, wherein the interface (20) is formed to receiveconfiguration data (51), and wherein the input (17), the output (18) orthe reading means (19) or the wireless interface (20) are formed to beconfigured by the configuration data (51).
 3. Monitoring deviceaccording to claim 1 or 2, wherein the input for receiving control data(17) is an interface for a control cable or an interface for a supplyline onto which the control data are modulated, or wherein the outputfor forwarding the control data (18) is an interface for a control cableor an interface for a supply line onto which the control data aremodulated, or wherein the interface (20) for transmitting the controldata (14) is a wireless interface.
 4. Monitoring device according to oneof the preceding claims, comprising: an amplifier (23) for amplifyingthe control data (11) received at the input (17), with amplificationcoupled to the output (18).
 5. Monitoring device according to one of thepreceding claims, wherein the control data (11) are formatted andtreated in accordance with a serial data transmission protocol. 6.Monitoring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein thedata transmission protocol is a DMX protocol.
 7. Monitoring deviceaccording to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a memory (22) forstoring at least the control data (13) received at the input. 8.Monitoring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein theinterface (20) is separate from the input (17) and from the output (18).9. Monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein the interface (20) isformed to receive reference data (52), and wherein a subtraction stage(54) is formed to generate data derived from the control data read bymeans of the reading means (19) and the reference data (52) from theinterface (20).
 10. Monitoring device according to claim 2, wherein theinterface (20) is formed to receive test data (53), and wherein theoutput (18) is formed to forward the test data to a second controllablelamp.
 11. Monitoring device according to claim 9, comprising: areference data reader (24) for reading the reference data (52) receivedfrom the interface (20); a reference switch (27) for switching on or offthe reference data (52) read by the reference data reader (24); asubtraction stage (54) for subtracting the reference data (61) switchedby the reference switch (27) from the control data (14) read by thereading means (19) and stored in the memory (22).
 12. Monitoring deviceaccording to claim 10, comprising: a test data reader (25) for readingthe test data (53) received from the interface (20); a control switch(26) for switching on or off the control data (13) read from the input(17); a test switch (28) for switching on or off the test data (66) readby the test data reader (25); an addition stage (55) for adding thecontrol data (62) switched by the control switch (26) and the test data(64) switched by the test switch (28).
 13. Monitoring device accordingto claims 2 to 12, comprising: a configurator (21) formed to place themonitoring device (10) into the recording mode by means of configurationdata (51) received via the interface (20), comprising: reference switch(27) and test switch (28) are switched off, control switch (26) isswitched on.
 14. Monitoring device according to claim 13, comprising:the configurator (21) being formed to place the monitoring device intothe diagnostic mode by means of configuration data (51) received via theinterface (20), comprising: control switch (26) and reference switch(27) are switched on, test switch (28) is switched off.
 15. Monitoringdevice according to claim 13, comprising: the configurator (21) beingformed to place the monitoring device into the test mode by means ofconfiguration data (51) received via the interface (20), comprising:control switch (26) and reference switch (27) are switched off, testswitch (28) is switched on.
 16. Monitoring device according to claims13, 14 and 15, comprising: the configurator (21) being formed toarbitrarily switch the control switch (26), reference switch (27) ortest switch (28) on or off by means of configuration data (51) receivedvia the interface (20).
 17. Monitoring device according to claims 13, 14and 15 and according to claim 4, comprising: the configurator (21) beingformed to adjust the amplifier (23) according to claim 4 in itsamplification by means of configuration data (51) received via theinterface (20).
 18. Monitoring device according to one of the precedingclaims, further comprising: fastening means for fastening the monitoringdevice (10) to a wall, to a pillar or to a ceiling of a room or to aprogrammable lamp.
 19. Monitoring device according to one of thepreceding claims, comprising: a power supply input of its own, which isformed to be supplied with current via an external power supply unit, oran accumulator formed to supply the reading device.
 20. Monitoringdevice according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: the input(17) including an XLR plug or socket; the output (18) including an XLRplug or socket.
 21. Monitoring device for programmable lamps (10),comprising: an input (17) for receiving control data (11) from acontrollable lamp, which is the last lamp in a chain of programmablelamps; reading means (19) for reading the control data (13) receivedfrom the input; and an interface (20) for transmitting the control data(14) read from the reading means or data derived from the read controldata, wherein the interface is operative to receive an error countermeasure signal from a control device, and wherein the monitoring deviceis operative to apply the error counter measure.
 22. Method ofmonitoring a programmable lamp, comprising: receiving control data of afirst lamp; forwarding the control data to a second lamp; reading thecontrol data; transmitting the control data or data derived from thecontrol data.
 23. Method of claim 22, further comprising: defining of acheck or test sequence; supplying the predefined check or test sequenceto a programmable lamp or a chain of programmable lamps; receiving thesupplied check or test sequence; comparing the received check or testsequence with a copy of the check or test sequence supplied.
 24. Methodaccording to claim 23, comprising: defining of the check or testsequence ideally as white noise; determining line parameters from thereceived check or test sequence and a copy of the check or test sequencesupplied; determining particularly line attenuation, phase location,line termination, reflection attenuation, and detection and localizationof existing disturbances on the line.
 25. Method according to claim 24,comprising: determining a wrong polarity of the cables or the cablechain from the phase location; determining the location of the wrongpolarity.
 26. Method according to claim 23, comprising: definition ofthe test sequence as control data from a light panel or a programmablelamp or a monitoring device for programmable lamps; localization of amalfunction by association of the byte position of the differentialsequence of received test sequence and copy of the supplied testsequence with the corresponding channel.
 27. Method according to any ofclaims 22 to 26, further comprising: receiving an error counter measureinstruction via an interface (20), applying an error countermeasure to acontrollable lamp; and checking whether the error countermeasure wassuccessful and an erroneous performance of a controllable lamp wasrefused or eliminated.
 28. Method in accordance with claim 27, in whichthe error countermeasure is a setting of a different terminatingresistor, wherein the terminating resistor is located in the lastprogrammable lamp in a chain of programmable lamps or is connected to adata output of the last programmable lamp in a chain of programmablelamps.
 29. Programmable lamp with a housing, wherein a monitoring devicefor programmable lamps in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 21is accommodated in the programmable lamp housing.
 30. Computer programwith a program code for performing the method according to claim 22,when the computer program is executed on a computer.